9. The Gang

Next lecture was of Engineering Mechanics. From the first 3-4 classes, Shis had got an idea that it was very deeply connected to what we had already done in the 11th class. He was in no mood to attend, "Theres no way am going to sleep in the 2nd lecture, This aint happening, No way!!"

"What the hell are you guys doing here, run man, before he spots us, run!!!" shouted Babban, who was trying to catch a train it seemed, his bag in one hand, a couple of books in the other.
"Dont tell me you are going to attend?" he tried to confirm, giving all three of us a disgusted look.

I, Doc and Shis exchanged looks.

"I am telling you, I would die without Ice-coffee in this dessert" exclaimed Babban, "One more please!" He was talking to Viru, the attendant at the Coffee Joint in our college.

"Why are you so reluctant to attend Gupta Sir's class?" I had wanted to attend.

"Are you out of your mind? His name sounds like an automobile company, he doesnt know what to teach, how to teach, from where to teach, whom to teach, I dont understand why did he have to leave France in the first place, and you want me to attend his class? What for? If I have to study on my own, why waste my precious 50 mins??" Babban was furious at me, I guess.

"One more" having finished the 2nd cup, he asked for another.

"Besides, all I can or for that matter anyone can do in his lecture, is SLEEP!!" Shis joined Babban.

Gupta Sir or BMG as were his initials, was a distinguished man. He had spent most of his life in France, learning and then teaching. But now, nearing 60, he had come back to India. He didnt have faith in Indian Authors and would only refer the likes of Shames, Miska etc. Even Indian websites were not upto his standards. Before starting a lecture, he would proudly write down the websites of Universities like Cambridge, MIT, Brussels and so on. There would be 8-9 in all.

"No need to take notes, Just understand the concepts. Whatever I am going to teach today, you can find everything on these resources, please do have a look".

Though everyone respected him a lot, or at least I did, most of the students chose to stay out. It was because, whatever he taught, was great from the point of view of understanding but was too confusing for someone who was looking for just 40 marks.

"Exactly, ok, you attended the last lecture, right? tell me what did you understand?" throwing away the 3rd cup, Babban demanded an answer. With Shis on his side now it became a kind of 2-on-1 handicap match, so I decided to change the topic.

"Want one more?" I tried to be nice.

"No Thanks" seemed like he was full, "Wheres your lunch by the way??" may be not.

"And what about yours Doc??" with my lunch in hand he turned towards Doc.

Babban is like 5'10", very well built, better than some of the body builders you might have seen. But, he is still like a 6 year old kid. Likes to keep his hair really short and since Sanjay Dutt has gone to jail, he is trying to fill it in. He has adopted Sanju Baba's look.

The way he talks, does certain things, you cant help but laugh. Things that might not look funny if I, Shis or even Doc were to do, look hilarious on Babban.

Akshit, is also the movie dealer of college, oh, thats Babban's formal name. Give him your request and it'll be granted within 72 Hours. Fees?? who do you expect pays for those Ice-coffees? You can find a trunk full of DVDs at his place. But he has this one rule, doesnt give his DVDs to anyone, You have to provide him a blank DVD to get the movie of your choice.

"Hey Babban, can you bring Lake Placid by Friday?" requested a friend

"Umm..I..hav..umm..it..re..umm..um.. mind me..I'll...ummm.. get..umm.. it tomo..ummm..rrow " Babban was struggling to speak, as there was too much in his mouth. He was through with my lunch and was about to finish Doc's. He seemed in a hurry.

"Hey hey hey look!! Appu is trying to run!" Doc pointed at some boulder that seemed to be rolling towards us!! After putting on my specs I realized it was Appu. He was running straight towards us. That explained why Babban was in a hurry.

Just like Babban, Sameer, we prefer to call him Appu, is a complete foodie. Anything that can be eaten, cannot escape from them. Interests apart, theres nothing much in common. Appu cant run actually, Firstly because, he doesnt want to, hes too lazy a person. And Secondly because, his tummy sometimes obstructs his legs.

Fighting for lunches is something I have been seeing these two doing since the first sem.

"C'mon guys lets go, Baby Ghosh must be in class by now" Shis checked his watch.
It had been over 55 minutes since we were sitting at the Joint

Couldnt afford to miss Prof Ghosh's class. So, we stood up to leave. Appu was about 20m away, quite far, by his standards.